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Potential of MEA Platforms for High Throughput Screening in Neuroscience
The Microelectrode Array (MEA) platform is an innovation that is transforming the field of neuroscience research. The MEA platform enables real-time recording of the electrical activity of neuronal networks, providing unprecedented insights into the dynamics of neural circuits. High-throughput screening (HTS) is an effective tool for drug discovery and development. In neuroscience, HTS is mainly used to identify potentially neuroactive peptides and evaluate their pharmacological effects.
In this article, Creative Biolabs explores the potential of the MEA platform in HTS in neuroscience, exploring its applications, benefits and future prospects. We offer assays utilizing these technologies as described below.
| Services | What We Do | Advantages |
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| MEA Measurements of Neurons | MEA is a versatile neural interface platform for in vitro neural tissues, which provides neural recording, electrical stimulation, and chemical stimulation, contributing to the progress of network neuroscience. Creative Biolabs has been devoted to the basic neuroscience assays aimed at developing an in vitro central nervous system (CNS) model, often contain integrated sensing capabilities, such as MEAs, to measure the electrophysiology of neurons. |
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| High-throughput Phenotypic Screen Services | Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common mechanism and phenotype shared by many neurological disorders. We can provide phenotypic screening services for application in new drug discovery. |
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| STEMOD™ Advanced Drug Discovery Service | We develop integrated technology platforms to provide one-stop CNS drug discovery services, including studies on BBB transport and distribution in the brain. |
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MEA Platform for Uncovering Neural Circuit Dynamics
MEA is a microelectrode array consisting of a series of microelectrodes embedded in a substrate capable of simultaneously recording the extracellular electrical activity of multiple neurons or neuronal networks. The MEA platform is divided into two types, a planar microelectrode and a sharp microelectrode.
- Planar MEA contains microelectrodes on planar substrates and are typically used for in vitro experiments.
- Sharp MEA integrates side microelectrodes and is suitable for in vivo testing.
The versatility of the MEA platforms lies in their ability to interface with a variety of neuronal preparations, including dissociated cultures, brain slices, and brain organoids, thus facilitating the study of neural circuits of varying complexity. MEA technology is differentiated by its ability to detect multiple cellular features simultaneously, supporting HTS across neuroscience. It provides a compelling solution for label-free, non-invasive neuronal activity monitor in real-time, thus providing a holistic view of neural network dynamics.
Fig. 1 Photo of a complete 3D-MEA.1
Applications of the MEA Platform in HTS
MEA Platform offers a high-throughput format for neurotoxicity testing, drug discovery, and disease modeling.
| Applications | Mechanisms |
|---|---|
| Drug Discovery and Development |
By integrating MEA-based HTS into the drug development process, researchers can accelerate the identification of promising therapeutic candidates while minimizing reliance on animal models, thereby reducing the time and costs associated with preclinical studies.
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| CNS Disease Modeling and Phenotypic Screening |
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| Neurotoxicity Testing |
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Advantages of the MEA Platform for HTS
- Sensitivity and accuracy: MEA platforms aid in capturing even the most minute changes in neuronal activities accurately. They obtain a highly sensitive, localized 'snapshot' of electrical interactions, providing an uncompromised view of the functional status of neuronal circuits.
- High-throughput capability: Utilizing hundreds of microelectrodes, the automated MEA platform generates large amounts of data in a short period of time. The MEA platform supports integration with robotic automation systems to enable high-throughput screening workflows with minimal human intervention, resulting in improved reproducibility and throughput.
- Multiplexed recording capabilities: One of the key benefits of the MEA platform in HTS is the ability to perform multiple recordings, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of multiple neuronal populations or drug conditions. The MEA platform also supports long-term recording sessions, allowing for continuous monitoring of neuronal activity over long periods of time, which is critical for capturing complex dynamics and detecting gradual changes due to chronic drug exposure or disease progression.
- Label-free and non-invasive measurements: Unlike traditional HTS assays that rely on exogenous labeling or invasive techniques, MEA-based assays minimize interference with biological systems by connecting directly to neuronal networks without the need for fluorescent dyes or molecular probes, ensuring that recorded responses accurately reflect endogenous neuronal activity.
Future Prospects of the MEA Platform for HTS
It is clear that the MEA platform holds great potential for HTS in neuroscience. To fully capitalize on this potential, researchers should adopt a robust approach and incorporate advanced data analysis techniques to ensure optimal usability of MEA-generated data.
- One area of focus is the development of more sophisticated MEA systems that are capable of integrating multimodal readouts such as optical imaging or optogenetic stimulation to complement electrical recordings. Additionally, increasing the throughput and scalability of MEA-based HTS workflows through automation and miniaturization is critical to accelerating discovery.
- It is also critical to enhance the analysis of MEA data by developing advanced signal processing algorithms and computational modeling methods. Integrating spatial and temporal information into computational models of neural circuits can enhance our understanding of network dynamics and help design more effective therapeutic interventions.
- Another avenue is to capitalize on advances in cell reprogramming and genome editing technologies to design more physiologically relevant neuronal models for HTS applications. In addition, incorporating the MEA platform into organoid-based screening analyses could provide insight into the emerging properties of neuronal networks and help identify new therapeutic targets.
The MEA platform represents a powerful tool for advancing HTS in neuroscience and promises to provide a better and more efficient roadmap for high-throughput screening efforts. Creative Biolabs can help our customers unlock the potential of MEA and HTS to facilitate the rapid advancement of neuroscience research.
Reference
- Spanu, Andrea, et al. "A three-dimensional micro-electrode array for in-vitro neuronal interfacing." Journal of Neural Engineering 17.3 (2020): 036033.
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.